Thomas w



(No Model.) f 7 I T. W. P. SMITTEN.

. FASTENING FOR EAR RINGS.

N0. 364,140. Patented May 31, 71887. 1

v {ya/M UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

THOMAS w. F. SMITTEN, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

FASTENING FOR EAR-RINGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 364,140, dated May 31,1887.

I Application filed August 10, 1886. Serial No. 210. 5ll. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS W. F. SMIT- TEN, of Brooklyn, in the countyof Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Fastenings for Ear- Rings, of which the following is aspecification.

Myinvention relates to ear-rings which comprise an ear-wire extendingfrom the body for insertion through the ear and a movable wire which isor may be jointed or pivoted to the body and is movable relatively tothe earwire, the parts being so combined that when the movable wire ismoved in one direction, or away from the ear-wire, the ear-wire is leftuncovered or free to be inserted through the ear, and when the movablewireis carried or moved in the opposite direction its upper end portionis brought adjacent to the end of the earwire.

In one style of fastening heretofore-in use the movable wire has itsupper end closed directly upon the end of the ear-wire, and has beenheld in such position by the yielding force exerted by a spring appliedto the movable wire.

The object of my invention is to providea fastening which is soconstructed that the upper end of the movable wire may be positivelyengaged with and locked to the end of the ear-wire, so that loss of theear-ring is absolutely prevented, and so that when the earring isapplied to the ear the locking device which is employed will liedirectly against the inner side of the ear, and will thereby prevent theear-ring from turning or twisting into an abnormal position, and willitself be prevented from becoming unlocked so as to release thefastening.

My invention may be carried out by combinations of parts which differslightly from each other in their construction and arrangement, but inall of which the same essential principles are involved.

The invention consists, essentially, in the combination, in an ear-ringfastening, with an ear-wire for insertion through the ear and providedat the end with a transverse shoulder, of a lower wire extending upwardto the extremity of theear-wire and movable relatively to theear-wire,and having at the upper end a positivelock for engaging with theshouldered end of the ear-wire. The shoulder upon the end of theear-wire will usually be formed by'bending the end portion of said wiretransversely to its length, and the lower movable wire maybejointed orpivoted to the body of the ear-ring, so as to enable it to swing upwardand downward relatively to the ear-wire.

In all the examples of my invention the lock which is provided at theupper end of the movable wire for engaging the bend or shouldered end ofthe ear-wire will preferably be'of such form as to afford a broadsurface for bearing against the inner side of the ear between the earand the bent or shouldered end of the earwire, and the lock may consistof a box or case secured upon the upper end of the movable wire and akeeper which is movable relatively to or in the box or caseforengagingthe bent end of the ear-wire.

The above-referred-to features of construction and combination are allincluded in my invention,and will be hereinafter more fully described,and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of an ear-ringembodying my invention, showing the movable wire as locked in positiveengagement with the ear-wire. Fig. 2 represents a sectional view uponthe plane of the dotted line mm, Fig. 1, looking toward the right handfrom said line, and showing a pivoted keeper whichis comprised in thelook as adjusted to locking position. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig.2, showing the keeper as swung back or unlocked to permit the swingingof the movable wire away from the ear-wire.

Fig. 4 is a-horizontal section and plan upon the plane of the dottedline 3 y, Fig. 1, showing the parts in the same position as Figs. 1 and2. Fig. 5 is a side view of an ear-ring having a fastening ofslightly-modified form, also embodying my invention, and which comprisesapivoted or rotary keeper for engaging the end of the ear-wire. Fig. 6is a sectional view on the plane of the dotted line 2 z, Fig. 5,1ookingtoward the right from said line, and showing the keeper as in lockedposition. Fig. 7 is a plan of an ear-ring, also showing the keeper inlocked position, and Fig. 8 is a plan showing the keeper as adjusted toan unlocked position preparatory to the disengagement of the movablewire from the ear-wire. Fig. 9 is a side view of an ear-ring embodyingstill an- ICO other slight modification of my invention, and

movable wire as locked to the ear-wire.

showing the movable wire as locked to the earwlre. Fig. is a back orrear view of the ring, showing the parts in the same position as Fig. 9.Fig. 11 is a side view similar to Fig. 9, and showing the movable wireas unlocked from the ear-wire; and Fig. 12 is a'plan showing the partsin the same position as Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a side view and partialsection of an ear-ring embodying my invention in another slightlymodified form, and showing the Fig. 14 is a side view and sectionsimilar to Fig. 13, showing the movable wire as unlocked from theear-wire preparatory to being swung away therefrom; and Fig. 15 is asectional view upon the plane of the dotted line 8 s, Fig. 14., lookingtoward the right hand of said line.

All the figures are drawn upon a somewhat enlarged scale, and in all thefigures similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts.

In all the examples of my invention, A designates the body of theear-ring,.which may be of any suitable form or construction, and towhich my invention in no wise relates, and in all such examples bdesignates an ear-wire, which is shown as rigidly connected with andprojecting from the upper part of the body A, and c designates a lowerwire, which is movable relatively to the ear-wire b, and, as here shown,is pivoted or jointed at c to the lower part of the body A. i

In all the examples of my invention the movable wirec may be swungdownward, as shown by dotted lines in Figs. -1, 5, 9, and 13, so as toleave the ear-wire entirely free for insertion through the ear, and inall cases the upper end of the movable wire is provided with a positivelock for engaging with a shoulder upon the end portion of the ear-wireb, so as to absolutely prevent accidental disengagement from theear-wire and consequent loss of the ear-ring.

In all examples of my invention the lock which is at the upper end ofthe, movable wire 0, for engaging with the ear-wire b, lies directlyupon or against the inner side of the ear, which is shown by dottedlines at B in Figs. 1, 5, 9, and 13, and between the inner side of theear and the shouldered portion of the ear-wire b. In all the examples ofmy invention here shown the shoulder upon the ear-wire is formed bybending the end portion of the ear-wire b transversely to the bodyportion of the wire, as shown at b.

In the examples of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, andFigs. 13 to 15, inclusive, the bent portion b extends upward from thebody portion of the ear-wire b, and in the examples shown in Figs. 9 to12,inclusive, such bent portion b extends horizontally or sidewise fromthe ear-wire b. Such end portion b of the ear-wire will be bent eitherupward, downward, or sidewise, according to the character of the lockingdevice which is provided upon the upper end of the movable wire 0 forengaging with the bent portion b.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, d designates a small box orcase, shown as of circular form and rigidly secured upon the upper endof the movable wire 0 in a plane parallel with the body A. The box orcase 11 is represented as having fiat sides, and when secured in the earits flat side will bear against the inner side of the car, as shown bythe dotted lines B in Fig. 1. Upon the inner side of the box or case d,which is the side coming next the ear, is a slot, d, which receiveswithin it the bent portion b of the ear-wire b, as shown in Figs. 2, 3,and 4, and when the movable wire is swung upward after inserting theearwire b through the ear the bent portion b will pass directly into theslot d, and will be shielded within the box or case (I.

In order to hold or look the bent portion b of the ear-wire b within thebox or case, and thereby to lock the lower movable wire, 0, positivelyto the ear-wire b, Ihave represented a pivoted keeper, 0, which is madein the form of a loop, as shown in Fig. 4, embraeingthe box or case d,and pivoted therein at e. At the end of the loop opposite the pivot 0there may be a gap or division in the loop, asshown at e, which willgive the same elasticityin the direction of its width, and will enableit to spring over the box or case (I and to engage with shallow recessesor depressions d in the box or case, which are shown in Fig. 3. When theear-ring is to be inserted in the ear, the keeper 6 is swung over to theposition shown in Fig. 3, the movable wire 0 is swung downward to theposition shown dotted in Fig. 1, and the ear-wire b is inserted throughthe ear. The movable wire 0 is then swung back to the positionshown byfull lines in Fig. 1, the bent end of the ear-wire passinginto the slotd,and the keeper e is then swung back, so as toembrace the box or cased, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4, and the bent end b of the ear-wire isby the keeper absolutely prevented from withdrawal from the box or case(1.

I will now describe the example of my invention shown in Figs. 5 to 8.inclusive. In

this case the movable wire 0 has pivoted vertically upon its upper end arotary lockingdevice or keeper, 0, which has a socket, 0, receivingwithin it and turning upon the straight end portion of the movable wire0, and which is made of sheet metal bentinto U shaped form in itshorizontal section, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the keeper having at oneend or side a gap or opening, 0, into which the bent end b of theear-wire may pass when the keeper is turned to the proper position. Inorder to disengage the movable wire cfrom the ear-wire b, or to engageit therewith, the keeper 0 must be turned to the position shown in Fig.8, so as to lie in the same plane with the ear-wireb and the movablewire 0. i

To insert the ear-ring the keeper 0 is turned to the position shown inFig. 8. The movable wire 0. is then swung downward to the position shownby dotted lines in Fig. 5. The ear-wire b is then inserted through theear and the movable wire 0 swung back to the position shown by fulllines in Fig. 5. WVhen swinging the movable wire a back to the positionshown in Fig. 5, the bent end I) of the ear-wire 1) passes directly intothe keeper 0 through the opening or gap 0 in the end'or side thereof,and after so entering the box or case the keeper is turned to theposition shown in Fig. 7, so as to lie with its greatestlengthtransverse'to the plane in which are the ear-wire b and the lowermovable wire, 0, and by such turning the bent end I) of the ear-wire issecurely locked in the keeper 0.

I have represented in the lower edge of the keeper 0 a notch or upwardrecess, 0, and the slight elasticity which the ear wire 1) commonly hasenables the lower edge of the keeper to slightly depress the ear-wire b,and as soon as the keeper reaches the position shown in Fig. 7 theear-Wire b springs upward into the notch or recess a, and thereby holdsthe keeper 0 against accidentally turning from the position shown inFigs. 5, 6, and 7.

It will also be observed that when the keeper 0 is turned to lockingposition, as shown. in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, its fiat side will liedirectly against the innerside of the ear, and contact with the car willalso prevent the keeper from be made of wire or sheet metal, and whichhas a central vertical gap or slot, 0, adapted to receive the ear-wireb, as shown in Figs. 9, 10,

and 12. This keeper 0 is pivoted or jointed horizontally at c to theupper 'end of the movable wire c, and may therefore be readily swungfrom the position shown in Fig. 9 to that shown in Fig. 11, or viceversa. When the ear-ring is to be inserted, the keeper 0 is swungdownward out of engagement with the ear-wire b to the position shown inFigs. 11 and 12. The movable wire is then swung downward to the positionshown by dotted lines in Fig. 9. The ear-wire b is then inserted throughthe ear and the movable'wire c swung back to the position shown by fulllines in Fig. 9, and the keeper 0 is then swung upward to the positionshown in Figs. 9 and 10, thereby positively locking the movable wire ato the bent ehd b of the earwireb. In this example of the invention,also, the flat side of the keeper 0 will, when it is swung upward to theposition shown in Figs. 9 and 10, lie directly against the inner side ofthe ear, and the keeper 0 will, by its contact with the ear, beprevented from accidentally swinging downward to the unlocked positionslide or keeper, G which is also slotted at c, to pass over the'ear-wireb behind the bent end Z) thereof. This slide 0, when -moved down to theposition shown in Fig. 13, locks the bent end b of the ear-wire bsecurely in the box or case d, and when moved upward to the positionshown in Figs. 14 and 15 the bent end b may be withdrawn from the box orcase through the slot 0 in the slide 0.

To insert this ear-ring the slide or keeper 0 is pushed upward to theposition shown in Figs. 14 and 15. The movable wire 0 is then swungdownward to the position shown dotted in Fig. 13. The ear-wire b is thenpassed 8( through the ear and'the movable wirecswung upward to theposition shown by full lines in Figs. 13 and 14, the bent end I) of theear-wire being thus sheathed in the box or case d, and the slide orkeeper 0 is then pushed downward to the position shown in Fig. 13. Inthis example of the invention, also, the fiat side of the box or case (1lies against the inner side of the ear when the ear-ring is securedtherein, and the ear-ring is thereby prevented from turning or twistingin the car. In all the examples of my invention shown the lock orfastening device, by bearing against the inner side of the ear, preventsthe ear-ring from canting forward or inward, and in caseof diamond orother settings it renders it impossible for the stone to work under theear, and thereby prevent a proper display.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. In an ear-ring fastening, the combination, with an ear-wire forinsertion through the ear and provided at the end with a transverseshoulder, of a lower wire extending .upward to the extremity of theear-wire and movable relatively thereto, and having at the upper end apositive lock for directly engaging the shouldered end of the ear-wire,substantially as herein described.

2. The combination, with an earring, of an ear-wire for insertionthrough the ear and having its end bent transversely to its length, anda lower wire movable relatively to the ear-wireand having at the upperend a positive lock for receiving and engaging the bent end of theear-wire, substantially as herein described. I

3. The combination, with an ear-ring,of an ear-wire rigidly securedthereto and having its end bent transversely to its length, and a lower,wire jointed to the ear-ring'and having at the upper end a positivelockfor engaging the bent end of the ear-wire, substantially as hereindescribed.

' 4.. The combination, with arr-earring, of an ear-wire for insertionthrough the ear and pro vided at the end with a transverse shoulder, anda lower wire extending upward to the extremity of the ear-wire andmovable relatively thereto, and provided at the upper end with apositive lock for directly engaging the shouldered end of the ear-wire,said look, when engaged positively with the ear-wire, afl'ording a broadsurface for bearing against the inner side of the ear, substantially asherein described. I

5. The combination, with an ear-ring, of an ear-wire bent transverselyto its length at the end, a movable wire provided at the upper end witha box or case for receiving the bent' end of the ear-wire, and a keepermovable relatively to the socket or case for engaging the bent end ofthe ear-wire, substantially as herein described.

6. The combination, with an earring, of an ear-wire bent transversely toitslength at the end, a movable wire, and a pivoted locking device orkeeper at the upper end of the movable wire for engaging the bent end ofthe earwire, substantially as herein described.

7. The combination, with an ear-ring, of the ear-wire b, benttransversely to its length at the endfa'movable wire, 0, provided at theupper end with a box or case, d, slotted on one of its flat faces toreceive the bent end of the ear-wire, and the pivoted keeper e,embracing the box orease and movable to expose the slot for the entranceof the bent end of the earwire, or to extend across the slot and lockthe bent end of the ear-wire therein, substantially as herein described.

T. W. F. SMIT'IEN.

Witnesses:

U. HALL, FREDK. HAYNES.

